On November 2nd, Michelle added another candle to the cake. So much celebration is planned. But the first was a very informal birthday party with mum and dad and "the boys" - sandwiched in between Jake's finish at pre-school and his swimming lesson later in the afternoon.
When Jake and Flynn arrive, out comes the "tea set". And, of course, Dandy has to play with them too.
It's actually a serious lesson in how to balance items on one's head, but cleverly disguised as silly play! Flynn (on the left) is the younger, but has the more challenging act than Jake
Ah, the boys have their horns. Jake clearly knows what to do - well, he is 4 years old. But Flynn is struggling a bit, after all, he's less than half Jake's age, so has much less experience.
Flynn receives a little personal coaching from Dandy, but looks a little confused by the whole thing, and wondering why it doesn't make any noise when he sucks on it!
The necessary ingredients - cake, ginger bread men and drinks (lemonade in this case). We adults had a more adult drink - tea :-)
The classic family birthday cake. Nana (mark I, my mum) used to make the birthday cakes, but now she makes them in heaven, so I expect today she was baking away merrily. Alas, this one came from the local shops. One of these days I must try my hand at baking a cake.
Time to blow the candles out (well, for the first time). Jake is trying his hardest, and even Flynn is blowing, though from that distance it likely had little effect. And the birthday girl watches on from the back.
So Dandy moves the cake a bit closer so that Flynn can try again.
Ah, a happy little Flynn while singing (for some definition of) "Happy Birthday".
Ah, the really serious business - eating the cake! Flynn is a much better eater than Jake, and always has been.
But a bit of assistance from Dandy never goes astray.
Soon after this, it was time to put Jake into his swimming trunks and head for home, where his Dad, Cameron, was waiting to take him to the pool. And then after that, to Cameron's Mum and Dad's place for another birthday party!
2005